Thesis Statement
The narrator of “The Sovereignty and Goodness of God”, Mary Rowlandson is a middle aged England born woman who resides in America for a couple of decades and then settles for Lancaster for some years as well. She has a strong devotion to Christianity and strongly believes in the role played by God in shaping people’s lives.
The main outline of her writing depicts God grace over life through the enhanced safety and wellbeing and also disappointment or disapproval in form of the existing misfortunes as well as tragedy. She questions her believe and association with the society when she is a captive in the Indian disastrous attack that confronts her. Her perspective interprets that such an attack has a reason of occurrence and her narration depicts the personal aim to uncover the reason.
Rowlandson’s search for understanding is primarily based upon the Christian believes.
Considering the insight into the seventeenth century, the narrator shows the role of England Kings and the political role. The aspect of demanding leaders who meander in the illusion of entitlement thus the captivation and people’s violence. The thin line between civilization and savagery shown by the author is the force upon the journey to civilization and the twenty first century is a good indication of leadership.
Today the narrator’s initial perception of what civilization is has seen radical and permanent changes. She took civilization as that which lacks salvation as indicated in the view of Indians’ savagery as actually having a connection to nature. (Rowlandson, 21) Their eating habits such as feeding on coarse foods like the horse meat show her great concern regarding civilization. She also speculates their violent savages through their constant travels. The writing equally shows some similarities between the Indians lifestyles and settlers.
There is great interaction between them and other people and in line with Rowlandson, (17) she also finds herself enjoying some of the Indian dishes and acquires behaviour of callousness comparable to those of her subjugators. There is an overview of the initial perception of a huge distinction between good and evil, or savagery and civilization. The narrator eventually shows the wide view of showing more ambiguity and uncertainty of life.
As a believer, Rowlandson shows God’s grace and providence to shaping the world and that everything occurs for a purpose. Throughout the narration her emphasis is upon people’s believes showing the importance of accepting God’s will and aims at making sense out of the believe.
Everything in the narrative happens for a reason for instance; the British troops failed to defeat the Indians because they lacked the humbleness and believe strong enough for a rewarding victory. People develop a fear to face a new experience or environment. During their time with the Indians, Rowland and other captives are in a position to gain practical knowledge regarding the natural world.
Like the other believers, she is not certain over the depth into which the colonialists should forge. The attacks are a sign that perhaps the push is too far. She becomes accustomed to the lives of those who hold them captives and takes part in their awkward feeding styles but the experience creates anxiety and guilt regarding the issue of abandoning civilization.
Conclusion
In her narration, Rowlandson constantly quotes the Bible for instance “the Load still showed mercy to me, and helped me; and as he wounded me with one hand, so he healed me with he other.” (19) This is a close reference to immediate situations and how to make the best out of a situation for a better situation and having a strong believe regarding God’s will as evident in today’s setting.
Works Cited
Rowlandson, Mary. The Sovereignty and Goodness of God. Bedford/Saint Martin’s publishers, 2002